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Clean Hydrogen Production: Moving Toward Zero-Emission Transit

Hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, is now being called the super fuel of the future. Clean hydrogen production will play a major role as we move away from carbon economy and fossil fuel dependency.

Hydrogen is a highly transportable energy carrier and must be produced from hydrogen-containing-compounds, such as water (H20) or natural gas. As clean as hydrogen is, it does require energy to create. Therefore, researchers are working on technologies to economically produce hydrogen in environmentally friendly ways.

Using renewable resources to produce hydrogen is key to minimizing environmental impact. Hydrogen allows storing excess renewable energy when there is no demand for it. As an energy carrier, it offers an alternative to the electric grid in order to transport low carbon energy into our cities.

How is hydrogen produced?

The cheapest and most common way to produce hydrogen is Natural Gas Reforming. It is a process that does not require combustion. Instead, natural gas and high-temperature steam produce the hydrogen. Natural gas (CH4) molecules and water (H2O) work together to create hydrogen (H2), generating a carbon dioxide (CO2) by-product.

This process accounts for 95% of hydrogen production in North America. So there is room for more environmentally friendly processes to take hold in the market.

These include electrolysis, renewable liquid and biogas reforming, as well as fermentation. However, if electrolysis, for example, is to be low-carbon, renewable resources should create the electricity.

Such resources include solar, wind, and geothermal energy. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the past ten years have seen the cost of solar PV modules fall by 80% and the cost of off-shore wind fall by 50%. This is providing a path to low cost green hydrogen.

In addition, researchers are developing many other clean hydrogen production techniques. And although they are not yet commercially available, they do show promise.

For instance, there are new technologies that focus on water splitting using

high temperature

photobiological processes

photoelectrochemical processes

What about the costs?

Hydrogen distribution is a major cost to consider. However, thankfully, the distribution network is already in place. The thousands of gas stations that already exist just need to be re-tooled to disburse hydrogen instead of fossil fuels.

Transporting, storing, and delivering hydrogen to these stations is more expensive than delivering fossil fuels. Building a new hydrogen pipeline network also involves high costs up front. In addition, engineers may need to rework pipeline materials and compressor design to handle hydrogen.

However, producing locally can maximize local resources, reducing the need for long travel in distribution. This can further help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

There are also tradeoffs between centralized and distributed production to consider. For example, producing hydrogen centrally in large plants cuts production costs but increases distribution costs. Producing it at fueling stations using an electrolyser or small size natural gas reformer cuts distribution costs but increases production costs. This is because of on-site construction costs in creating the production facilities.

So, besides producing hydrogen cleanly, one of the greatest challenges is reducing costs. For transportation, hydrogen must also be cost-competitive with fossil fuels on a per-mile basis.

Conclusion

Although there are challenges that go along with clean hydrogen production, it is a worthwhile investment that will help lead us to a cleaner future. Many renewable energy sources are becoming available that can produce hydrogen in a more environmentally friendly way.

Also, as with any other worthwhile technology, there needs to be an investment in infrastructure. One need only be reminded of the global fibre-optic network that was required prior to the deployment of the Internet. If we have the same attitude toward hydrogen, the planet will reap the benefits of widespread super fuel use.

Join the conversation. What are your thoughts on using renewables to produce hydrogen? Let us know in the comments.

Footnote: Content for this article was referenced from the US Department of Energy website.

Thank you very much for Your information and engagement! Our bus Company will be looking at, and looking very much forward to seeing Your future solutions!
Sincerely Jarl, Arendal, Norway

Catharine Reid

Hi Jarl, you may be interested in a fuel cell bus event that will be taking place in Copenhagen in September. You can learn more on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/11162570/

William Fritzsche

While I don't buy into the global warming theories so far, I have been a proponent of hydrogen power since the early '70s. At that time I believed we should be taking advantage of the excess nuclear capacity. Let the plants run at 90% - 95% capacity 24/7. Any excess capacity could be used for hydrogen production. Now with fuel cells becoming economical this cycle makes even more sense.
Traditional nuclear plants are not popular and they are overly expensive. A better solution is liquid thorium salt reactors. They are safer than uranium fueled reactors. They can be made smaller, similar to peaker-plants. They can be located closer to the end-user. They use thorium as the fuel which is safer and a waste by-product of mining. China is researching thorium reactors and will dominate the field if nobody else steps up. Thorium and hydrogen is an ideal pairing. Safety, security, economy and green energy all come together with this coupling of two energy sources. They also save hydrocarbon fuel sources for future generations.